Dishwasher



Oct. 24, 1933.

A. J. SCHIMPKE 1,931,996

DISHWASHER Filed Dec. 16, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 1440mm! Jaw/rm ATTORNEY.

Oct. 24, 1933. A. J. SCHIMPKE DISHWASHER Filed Dec. 16, 1932 3Sheets-Sheet 2 IIiVENTOR. fimzzerc/ Jaw/Mr:

ATTORNEY.

' Patented Oct. 24, 1933 UNITED STA DISHWASHER Albert J. Schimpke,Detroit, Mich.

Application December 16, 1932 Serial No. 647,610

13 Claims.

This invention relates to dish washersand is a continuation of myapplication, Serial No. 465,994,

filed July 7, 1930, to all common subject matter and the principalfeature of the invention resides in the provision of a device of thischaracter in which the water is elevated by centrifugal force through arotatable member from a well in the tub and discharged through aperturesin the wall of the rotatable member.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a dishwasher in which the temperature of the water for washing dishes may becontrolled as desired.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a dishwasher in which a rotatable tubular member has its lower end positionedbelow the water in the tub and which is provided with a membersurrounding the lower end 01' the tubular member preventing water in thewell of the tub from coming in contact with the outer surface of thetubular member thereby preventing eddy currents or disturbance of thewater prior to its entering the interior of the tubular member.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a device ofthis character which is provided with a rotating element for causing thewater to rise by centrifugal force in a tubular member the walls of thesame being provided with jet openings whereby the water is caused tostrike against the surface of thedishes, the rotating element beingreversible for permitting the jets of water to strike against both facesof the dishes, These objects and the several novel features of theinvention are hereinafter more fully described and claimed and thepreferred form of construction by whichthese objects are'attained isshown in the accompanying drawings inwhich- Fig. 1 is a verticalsectional view taken substantially on line 11 of Fig. 2. p t Fig. 2 is aplan sectional view taken on line 22 ofFig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlargedfragmentary section of the rotor and its shroud.

Fig. 4 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 1.5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showinga modified form of my invention.Fig. 6 is a detail fragmentary section illustrating a scraping orcleaning attachment to be substituted for the rotor. r Fig. 7 is anenlarged fragmentary section of the lower end of the rotor and shroud.Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of construction.

' 16 in Fig. 1. A wire rack Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view showing another modified form ofconstruction.

Referring to the drawings, the body 1 of the tub is preferably made ofsheet metal and the same is suitably connected to the casting 2 the sameforming a well 3 for the water. A reversible electric motor 4 is secured.to the base of the casting 2 by means of the rods or bolts 5. Avertically extending post 7 is formed integral with the casting 2 andthe drive shaft 8 from the motor 4 extends therethrough. A bearing 9 ispositioned in the upper end of the post 7 and encircles the shaft 8. Anextension 10 is pinned to the upper end of the shaft 8 and a hollowtubular member 11 is formed with the boss 12 fitting over the upper endof the extension 10 and is preferably keyed thereto for rotationtherewith. A cap 13 is threaded on the upper end of the extension 10 andcloses the upper end of the oil hole 14 the same providing for lubrica--tion between the shaft 8 and the bearing 9. The tubular member 11 isformed with a plurality of openings 15 which act as jets for directingthe water against the dishes shown by dotted lines 17 is positioned inthe tub 1 adjacent the base thereof for supporting plates or the likewhile a rack 18 is positioned adjacent the upper end of the tub forsupporting glasses, cups and the. like. It will be noted that the platesare preferably positioned in radial alignment with the vertical axis ofthe tubular member 11 so that as the tubular member rotates, as will behereinafter described, water from 90 the jets 15 will strike against onesurface of the plates with a sweeping motion and with considerable forceto remove the dirt therefrom.

Upon reversing the direction of rotation of the member 11 by reversingthe electric motor 4 the 95 other surface of the plates will be cleanedin a similar manner. It will be noted that the apertures 15 are notsymmetrically arranged but are in staggered relation so that practicallythe entire surface of the dishes in the tub will be struck by water fromone or more of the jets. The lower end of the tubular member 11 extendsinto the well 3 and is positioned below the normal water level in thetub which is shown by dotted lines 19 in Fig. 1. A shroud 20 encirclesthe lower end of the tubular member 11 and the lower end of the same isformed with the inwardly extending flange or lip 21 having an opening 22therein of larger diameter than the shaft 7 providing a passageway forwater from the well 3 into the 110 interior of the member 11. Aplurality of blades 23 are secured to or formed integral with the innersurface of the tubular member 11 and the lower ends of the same areformed with the outwardly curved portion 24 the faces 25 of theseportions being preferably inwardly inclined. The shroud 20 is formedwith the extension 26 the same being secured to the casting 2 by meansof the threaded member 27. The bushing or bearing 28 is pressed orotherwise secured on the lower end of the tubular member 11 and centersthe same relative to the inner face 29 of the shroud 20.

It will be seen by referring to Fig. '1 that the outer surface of thebearing 28 is spaced from the inner surface 29 of the shroud 20 and thesurface 29 of the shroud is formed with a plurality of annular grooves30 the same acting as a seal to prevent discharge of water from betweenthe shroud and the tubular member 11. Rotation of the tubular member 11and the bearing 28 will impart rotation to the water between the outersurface of the bearing 28 and the inner surface 29 of the shroud 20 andthe centrifugal force will really pack this water in the grooves 30 andprevent water from being discharged into the tub in the space betweenthe shroud and the tubular member 11. It will be understood that theblades 23 do not act as scoops to lift the water in the tubular member11 but merely tend to impart rotation to the water as the member 11 isrotated. It will be understood that the member 11 is rotated relativelyfast and since the flange 21 on the shroud 20 prevents movement of thewater downwardly then the same must, of necessity, rise due to thecentrifugal force exerted by rotation of the water and be dischargedthrough the jets 13 and tangentially to the outer periphery of themember 11. It will be seen that the shroud 20 prevents the water in thewell 3 from coming in contact with the outer surface of the tubularmember 11 so that rotation of the tube will not create any disturbanceof the water in the well.

I have found by experimentation that when a rotating member such as thetubular member 11 had its lower end inserted in a body of liquid thatrotation of the tubular member would at first cause the liquid to bedischarged through the openings 15 but after operation for a shortperiod of time one or more vortices would be created externally of thetubular member and when the apex of the same reach a certain distanceair would be admitted to the interior of the tubular member therebybreaking the action of the centrifugal force on the water and renderingthe device inoperative. Undoubtedly this could be overcome by placingthe lower end of the tubular member a considerable distance below theliquid level but this is highly impractical in a device of thischaracter where it is not only desirable to reduce the depth of thedevice but to use only a minimum amount of Water necessary to performthe function of washing the dishes.

It will be noted, therefore, that by enclosing the lower end of thetubular member 11 by the shroud 20 no eddy currents or vortices arecreated in the well 3 externally of the shroud 20 allowing the device tooperate at its maximum degree of efliciency at all times. If desired aheating element 31 may be inserted in the shroud 20 for heating thewater in the well 3 or for drying or sterilizing the dishes by removingall, or

water practically all, of the water from the well through the dischargepipe 32.

It will be understood, of course, that the heating element may bedispensed with as shown in Fig. 5 and it will be noted that in thisfigure I have also shown a modified form of blade construction and amodified form of flange 21 on the shroud 20.

Referring to Fig. 6 I have illustrated a scrubbing attachment 33 whichmay be made of relatively hard rubber or other suitable material thesame having a roughened outer periphery 34 for cleaning utensils inwhich the food has become hardened and cannot be loosened by the jets ofwater. I have preferably provided a cover 35 having an offset hinge 36for permitting insertion of the dishes and racks in the tub and removalof the same from the tub. Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9 I have shown amodified form of rotor construction. In this form of the device theshaft 50, operated by rotation of the electric motor 51, has a threadedupper end 52 for threaded engagement with the lower end of the rod 53,the upper end of the same having the washer or nut 54 secured thereto bythe pin 55. A member 56 is apertured to receive the shaft and one wallthereof is flattened at 5'7 to engage the flattened portion 58 of theshaft 50 the same acting as a key for rotating the member 56 with theshaft. A post 59 is formed integral with the casting 60 whichcorresponds to the casting 2 heretofore described and a bearing 61 isinterposed between the shaft 50 and the post 59. The lower end of themember 56 is formed with the ring like portion 62 having the pockets 63formed therein.

The walls 64 of these pockets are slightly concave in form and the samecurve upwardly from the center line of the pockets toward the blades 65which are preferably of uniform width from the top down to the dottedline 66 shown in Fig. 8. The purpose of these blades and pockets is tocarry the water with thr rotor or tubular member 6'7 so that centrifugalforce will move the water from the well in the tub to discharge throughthe openings 68 in the tubular member 67. The walls 64 do not act asscoops to lift the Water but merely provide an upwardly curved path forguiding the water upwardly during its initial movement. A shroud '70encircles the lower end of the tubular member 6'7 and is similar indesign to the shroud 20 heretofore described. An annular chamber '71 isformed in the shroud and the same is formed with the annular opening 72opening to the interior of the tubular member 6'7. A water inlet pipe'73 is connected to the chamber 71 for admitting fresh water to the wellin the casting 60 the dirty water being drained off through thedischarge opening 74. It will be seen that the device will be flushedwith clear water by opening the pipe 73 and putting the motor 51 inoperation to rotate the member 56 and the tubular member 6'7. Byreferring now to Fig. 10, I have shown another modification in which thetubular member is stationary and is secured to the shroud 81 by means ofthe screws 82. In this form of construction the member 83 is similar indesign to the member 56 heretofore described and through rotationthereof water from the well in the tub is caused to rise in the tube 80and be discharged through the jet openings 84.

It will be understood-that since the wall of the tubular member 80 isrelatively thin that the jets 84 will not direct water radially from thejets but will direct the same substantially tangentially with a sweepingaction in a manner similar to that given by operation of the device asshown in Figs. 1 and 8.

From the foregoing description it becomes evident that I have provided adish washer in which the water is lifted by centrifugal force from awell in the tub and directed against the dishes in a sweeping tangentialaction, further that the device will operate in a relatively shallowdepth of liquid and will operate economically and at its maximum degreeof efllciency at all times.

Having thus fully described my invention, its utility and mode ofoperation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is- 1. In a washing machine, the combination of a tubularshaft housing, a reversibly driven shaft disposed in said housing, atubular rotor of uniform diameter from end to end mounted on the upperend of said shaft and having spaced vertical rows of jet openings, thejet openings of adjacent rows being out of horizontal alignment, saidrotor being provided at its lower end with vertically disposed blades,said blades having upwardly converging portions at their lower ends, ashroud for the lower end of said rotor projecting above the normal waterlevel and having an annular lip projecting below the lower end of therotor, said shroud and rotor having coacting annular bearings, saidbearings having a loose fit and the shroud bearing having a plurality ofannular grooves therein.

2. In a washing machine, the combination of a tubular shaft housing, areversibly driven shaft disposed in said housing, means for driving saidshaft, a tubular rotor of uniform diameter from end to end mounted onthe upper end of said shaft and having spaced vertical rows of jetopenings, the jet openings of adjacent rows being out of horizontalalignment, said rotor being provided at its lower end with verticallydisposed blades, said blades having upwardly converging portions attheir lower ends, and a shroud for the lower end of said rotor.

3. In a washing machine, the combination of a reversibly driven tubularrotor disposed therein of uniform diameter from end to end having aplurality of jet openings, means for reversibly driving said rotor,vertically disposed blades in said rotor, said blades having upwardlyconverging inwardly inclined portions at their lower ends, and a shroudfor the lower end of said rotor having an annular lip projecting belowthe lower end of the rotor, said shroud and rotor having coacting radialbearings.

4. In a washing machine, the combination of a tubular rotor having aplurality of Jet openings, a shroud embracing the lower end of saidrotor, and an electric heating element housed within said shroud.

5. In a washing machine, the combination of a tubular rotor of uniformdiameter from end to end having a plurality of jet openings, verticallydisposed blades in the lower end of said rotor, a

shroud for the lower end of said rotor having an annular lip projectingbelow the rotor, and a reversible driving means for said rotor.

8. In a washing machine, the combination of a tubular rotor of uniformdiameter from end to end having a plurality of jet openings, astationary shroud for the lower end of said rotor having an annular lipprojecting below the rotor, and driving means for said rotor.

7. In a washing machine, the combination of a tubular rotor having forthe lower end of said rotor having an annular lip projecting below therotor. v

8. In a washing machine, the combination of a tubular rotor thereinhaving a plurality of jet openings, and a stationary shroud embracingthe lower end of said rotor, said shroud and rotor having coactingradial water lubricated bearings.

9. In a machine of the character described, a tub for liquid, avertially positioned hollow rotatable member therein, the open lower endof the same extending below the normal liquid level in the tub, andmeans for preventing the liquid in the tub from contacting the outersurface of the rotatable member.

10. In a machine of the character described, a tub for liquid, avertically positioned hollow rotatable member therein, the open lowerend of the same extending below the normal liquid level the inner wallof the rotatable member adjacent the lower end thereof for causingrotation of the liquid in the hollow member, and means for preventingliquid in the tub from contacting the outer surface of the rotatablemember.

11. In a machine of the character described,

, a vertically positioned hollow rosurface of the rotatable member.

12. In a machine of the character described, a tub for liquid, avertically positioned rotatable member having blades thereon forimparting rotation to the liquid, the lower end of the rotatable memberextending below the normal liquid level in the tub, and means forpreventing the liquid in rotatable member.

13. In a machine of the character described, 133 a tub for liquid, avertically positioned stationary hollow member therein, a rotatablemember in the stationary member having blades thereon for impartingrotation to the liquid,

the tub for preventing the liquid in the tub from contacting the outersurface member.

ALBERT J. SCHIMPKE.

